Garment



Sept. 2,1947.

5. T. WARNER GARMENT Filed Sept. 8, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W W 7 M a m S INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. 2, 1947- s. T. WARNER I GARMENT Filed Sept. 8, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Stuart 1' BY [Vwrzi I; Y

ATTORNEYS enema sees 2.1941

Warner Bros. Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application September 8, 1943, Serial No. 501,517

13 Claims.

This invention relates to womens wearing apparel, and more particularly to garments in whole or in part designed to and worn for the purpose of supporting the breasts.

The present invention in its broader aspects may be applied to a bandeau or short brassiere, long brassiere, corset or corselet, although in its more specific aspects it has particular utility and advantage when applied to abbreviated or short brassieres involving little more than pockets for the breasts and straps for supporting the pockets.

In order to adequately support the breasts, the garment must of necessity extend well under and lie against the body on the lines or creases where the breasts join the upper abdomen.

Heretofore, brassires of the type commonly referred to as bandeaux or short brassieres have been bound or faced at their lower edge with tape or other binding, and, in wearing the garment, this comparatively thin and knife-like edge presses into the flesh, so that if the garment is worn tight enough to perform its function it becomes, after a short time, uncomfortable and may even chafe the skin. In wearing the garment, the binding or facing sometimes twists or strings, and, because of the irregularities thus formed, adds to the discomfort, of the wearer.

While the condition is more aggravated in the case of a short brassiere because of the fact that the edge pressing into the crease referred to is the terminal portion of the garment, it also, in a less serious form, occurs in such garments as long brassieres, corselets, etc., for insuch cases also the portion of the garment which extends under the lower portion of the breast forms an acute angle defined by a seam which has a like efiect in cutting into the flesh as the terminal binding edge of a brassire.

A feature of the present invention is the provision on a breast-supporting garment of a soft, pliable and smooth bead-like construction at that portion of the garment, the lower edge in the case of a short brassiere or the lower and side portions of the breast pockets in a long brassiere, corselet or the like, which extends into the crease between the breast and upper abdomen, and softly, yet firmly, engages the flesh of the wearer without any harsh or acutely angular portion to cut into or chafe the skin of the wearer.

' ures.

When the garment is so constructed, it may be worn tightly enough about the body to firmly support the breast without discomfort.

The bead-like construction of the present invention may take many forms. When applied to a bandeau in its simplest form, it may comprise merely a rubber or imitation rubber tube which is confined in a hem, binding or facing at the lower edge of the bandeau, and which, being smooth and round to start with, has no tendency to twist and cord, and fits comfortably in the crease formed at the junction of the breast and upper abdomen. The tubular cushion may, of course, be made of any other suitable material. Cellular rubber is excellent, since it does 'not absorb perspiration. The filler or bead may be hollow forming a tube, or'solid as in the case of sponge rubber. g

In the case of a garment which does not terminate at the lower portion of the breast but continues down across the diaphragm as in the case of a long brassiere or corselet, the creaseengaging cushion of the present invention may be worked into the seam or joint between the breast pockets and the engirdling portion. When so used, the cushion may have an elongate oval shape, the thicker portion of which extends into the crease between the breast and the upper abdomen.

The garment of the present invention is advantageous and convenient for all types of fig- It is especially advantageous and comfortable when worn by women having heavy and pendulous breasts, for in order to obtain any support, in such cases the garment must be worn very tightly on the body, and this will tend to cut into the flesh as above pointed ont.

According to the present invention, the bead or rib is preferably made elastic and of such length that when the garment is applied to the body,

the bead or rib is placed under tension. Since the bead extends on a convex line from the thorax rearwardly to the side under tension, it will hold the lower edge of the breast-supporting portions of the garment firmly and comfortably against the body.

In the case of small or light breasts, when stretching or exercising, it sometimes happens that a bandeau slips up over the breasts to the inconvenience, and sometimes embarrassment of the wearer. With the bandeau of the present invention, however, this will not occur, since the lower edge is yieldingly and resiliently held in place on the body.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the present invention applied to somewhat different forms of breast-supporting garments.

Figure 1 shows on a figure and looking at the front a bandeau type garment embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar View looking at the back.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the soft, pliable and rounded facing at the lower edge of the breast-supporting portion fits into the crease formed between the breast and the upperabdomen of the wearer.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of one formof resilient head or cushion applied, according to the present invention, to the lower edgeof the garment.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing a modification of the facing strip shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig.. 3, but shows the finishing strip with a cushion having a cross sectional shape of a teardrop or pear.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the head in the form shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a modification of the facing strip shown in Fig.7.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing the present invention applied to a garment having a waist portion such as a long line brassiere or corselet,

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing a profile of the breast with the garment applied, and showing the soft, rounded rib of the present invention located in the crease between the lower portion of the breast and the upper abdomen of the wearer.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the junction of the breast pocket with the waist showing the ribcarrying insertion of the present invention in position.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, showing a modified form of insertion strip.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a bandeau or short brassiere comprises essentially breast-supporting portions l0 joined together at H over the thorax and extending around under the arms of the wearer toward the rear where they are joined by strips, frequently in theform of elastic tapes I2. The garment is held to the body of the wearer by the tapes l2 along with shoulder straps [3. Such garments take many different forms, and the one illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is merely shown by way of example. Each'breast-supporting portion is so shaped that the lower edge extends under the breast and lies against the body of the wearer and forms a pocket to support the breast and hold it firmly.

Such garments have heretofore been bound or faced with flat ribbon or tape, and it has been found that this cuts into the body of the wearer. and, if the garment must be worn tightly against the body, it becomes extremely uncomfortable. This is especially so when the flat edge or facing rolls or strings in use, causing irregularities which add to the discomfort of the wearer. It has also been found that in the case of the wearer having small breasts, in raising the arms or exercising which tends to flatten the breast momentarily, the lower edge of the garment may slip up over the breast, and when outer garments 4 of low necklines are worn become visible and thus embarrassing.

These disadvantages are overcome 'by the present invention by the provision of a binding or facing for the lower edge of a garment such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 which is rounded, soft, pliable and elastic, and which is of such size and proportion as to comfortably fit into the crease where the lower portion of the breast joins the body of the wearer.

In Figs. 1 and 2, this edge or facing is illustrated in the form of a bead II which is stitched or otherwise secured to the lower edge of the breast pockets Ill. The edging or facing may be of any desired construction or form according to the present invention so long as it is soft and pliable, and in more specific aspects of this invention also elastic.

As shown in Fig. 4, the edging [4 may be in the form of a woven ribbon having a hem or pocket portion l5 and two attaching strips IS. The ribbon may be woven in such a way that the plies forming the attaching strip l6 and ,the sides of the tubular portion l5 are brought together as one atv H, in which case the raw edge l8 of the material forming the breast pockets l0 may be inserted between the attaching strips 16, and the whole secured together by stitching IS. The tubular portion [5 may be then filled with soft pliable material such, for instance, as rubber tubing 20, or a core of cellular rubber, the latter being preferable to sponge rubber or fibrous fillers since it does not absorb moisture.

If desired, the edging or facing l4 may be made as shown in Fig. 5, in which the tubular portion I5 is made of a single-ply woven fabric joined to make a double-ply forming a single attaching strip 16a. In this case, the raw edge I8 of the material of the pockets in is felled and stitched to the single attaching strip Ilia as by stitches IS. The filler is illustrated in Fig, 5 as a cellular rubber core 201), but it should be understood that any suitable core may be used with either construction of encasin strip.

As illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8, the filler need not be circular, and may, in some situations, preferably be a core 20a of pear or teardrop shape in cross section. Here also the attaching strip may be in the form of two single-ply strips l6 as shown in Fig. 4, or one. double-ply strip Ilia as shown in Fig. 5.

The relation of the cushion-like edge H of the present invention, to the breast and body of the wearer is shown diagrammatically in Figs. 3 and 6, the former showing the edging of circular cross section, and the latter showing it of pear-shaped cross section. In each case, the edging extends into the crease 2| formed at the junction of the lower portion 22 of the breast with the upper abdomen 23 and, being rounded and smooth, does not cut into the flesh or chafe the skin. If the filler 20 or 20a of the edging i4 is elastic so that it is under tension when applied to the body of the wearer, it will extend from the thorax to the side of the body on a convex line and hold the lower edge of the breast pocket firmly against the body of the wearer. Even if the pocket only loosely encloses the breast as in the case of the light or small breast, danger of the garment ridin up so that the lower edge of the garment is carried over the apex of the breast is eliminated. By resiliently holding the lower edge of the breast pocket to the body of the wearer, the lower edge of the breast pocket remains in the same relative position and clings to the body of th wearer, not

and adapted to fit into and engage the crease formed at the Junction of the lower portion of the breast with the upper abdomen, said bead being free of any harsh or acutely angular portion to cut into or chafe the skin of the wearer.

' 3. A garment comprising a waist portion;

3 breast pockets carried by the waist portion; means attached. The latter are held up by shoulder straps 2 6.

In such garments as heretofore made, the seam between the breast pockets and the waist portion 24 being angular and knife-like caused considerable discomfort by cutting into the flesh at the junction of the breast with the body.

To apply the present invention to this type of garment, the cushion-like member is preferably made in the form of an insertion 21. The latter for securing the waist portion to the body of the wearer; and a soft, pliable ribat the junction of the lower margin of each breast pocket and adjacent the margin of the waist portion and adapted to fit into and engage the crease formed at the Junction of the lower portion of the breast with 7 the upper abdomen, said rib beingfree of any harsh or acutely angular .portion to cut into or chafe the skin of the wearer.

may have pairs of attaching flanges 28 and 29 1 (Fig. 11), or single attaching flanges 30 and 3| (Fig. 12) which are attached respectively to the lower edge 32 of the breast pockets and the upper edge 33 of the waist portion 24, so as :to provide a rounded bead portion adapted to fit in the crease 34 between the junction of the breast with the body. In such situations, the core or filler 35 may have an elongate elliptical shape in cross section sothat the wider portion of the core may engage the crease 34. In this form of the invention, when the core 35 is made elastic, as is preferable it is placed under tension when the garment is a plied to the body of the wearer, and,

as in the case of the bandeau, firmly holds itself against the body.

To accomplish this, the upper ends of the insertion 21 are fastened to the Waist portion at 36 (see Fig. 9), while the middle portion 31, that is to say the portion which is over the thorax, is secured to the junction of the breast pockets by suitable stitching. Thus, when the breast is placed inthe pocket and the garment secured, the elastic insertion firmly engages the body of the wearer, and relative movement, such as would cause chafing, is resisted. The fixed central por- 4. A garment comprising a waist portion;

breast pockets carried by the waist portion; means for securing the waist portion to the body of the wearer; and an insert between the lower margin of the breast pocket and the adjacent margin of the waist, said insert comprising a resilientjgoft, rounded rib adapted to fit into and engage the crease formed at the junction of the lower portion of the breast with the upper abdomen, said rib being free of any harsh or acutely angular portion to cut-into or chafe the skin of tion3l is supported during the stretching of the elastic insertion by the material of the bound upper edges 38 of the breast pockets which themselves are held in position by th shoulder straps 36. In making the garment, the insertion 21 may terminate at the breast portion or may be continued across to the opposite breast pocket as shown.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used Without others.

I claim: 1. A garment comprising breast-supporting portions; means to support the garment on the body of the wearer; and a soft, pliable bead comnected to and forming the lower edge of each breast-supporting portion adapted to fit into and engage the crease formed at the junction of the lower portion of the breast with the upper abdomen, said bead being free of any harsh or acutely angular portion to cut into or chafe the skin of the wearer.

2. A bandeau comprising breast-supporting portions; means uniting the breast-supporting portions at the front over the thorax and at the rear across the back including elastic means for resiliently holding the bandeau to the body of the wearer; and a soft, pliable bead forming the lower edge of each breast-supporting portion the wearer.

5. A garment comprising a waist portion; breast pockets; means for securing the waist por-. tion to the body of the wearer; and means extending between and attaching the breast pockets to the waist portion comprising a strip of insertion including a soft, pliable rib adapted to fit into abdomen, said rib being free of any harsh or acutely angular portion tocut into or chafe the skin of the wearer.

having a tubular portion containing a filling of soft, pliable material forming saidrib, and havthe breast pockets and the waist.

'7. The invention as defined in claim-5, in

which the insertion is in the form of a woven fabric having a tubular portion containing a filling of soft,'pliable material forming said rib, and having at opposite sides of the tubular portion pairs of attaching strips between which respectively the adjacent edges of the breast pockets and waist are stitched.

8. A bandeau comprising breast-supporting portions; means uniting the breast-supporting portions at the front over the thorax and at the rear across the back including means for holding the bandeau to the body of the wearer; and a, facing extending along and forming the lower edge of each breast-supporting portion and comprising a woven fabric having a tubularportion containing a filling of soft, pliable material adapted to fit into and engage the crease formed at the junction of the lower portion ofthe breast with the upper abdomen.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8, in which the woven fabric also has a pair of attaching strips between which the bottom edge of the breast-supporting portions is stitched.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8, in which the woven' fabric has an attaching strip stitchedto the lower edge of the breast-supporting portions.

11. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein 7 8 the head is pear-shaped in cross-section. Number Name Date 12. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein 911,204 Busby Feb. 2, 1909 the bead is circular in cross-section. 1,792,384 Madsen Feb. 10, 1931 13. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein 1,664,926 Imershein Apr. 3, 1928 the bead comprises a rounded elastic facing. 5 1,989,303 Alberts Jan. 29, 1935 2,015,151 Moity Sept. 24, 1935 STUART T. WARNER. 1,798,274 Pons Mar. 31, 1931 2,299,903 Kann Oct. 27,1942 REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS The following references are of record in the 10 me of this pawn. Number Country Date UNITED ma e July 30, 934

Number Name Date 1,994,941 Caldor Mar. 19, 1935 

